Haze forces last-minute cancellation of PJ Half Marathon
KUALA LUMPUR: The Petaling Jaya Half Marathon, which was expected to draw 10,000 participants tomorrow, has been cancelled due to the haze.
The Petaling Jaya Half Marathon, originally scheduled to attract 10,000 participants, has been abruptly cancelled due to the ongoing haze, according to the event's organizers. The decision was made after considering the Air Pollutant Index readings and the potential impact on the health and well-being of runners, volunteers, and crew members involved.
The organizers emphasized that the safety of the running community should always be the top priority. Despite the haze readings potentially improving within the next 24 hours, they remain in the unhealthy range, which could still pose risks to those involved. The organizers noted that while registered runners who still wish to participate can opt for a shorter 5km route as an alternative, the decision to cancel the marathon was deemed the most responsible course of action.
Petaling Jaya Mayor Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi had previously announced that the event would include international runners from 34 countries, with about 9,000 participants registering for the marathon. The race was set to commence at Laman MBPJ in Petaling Jaya around 3:30 am, featuring five categories: 30km, 21km, 10km, 5km fun run, and a 1km costume-themed fun run.
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